Is using softened well water ok for grains?

[timverba]

We have hard well water that turns everything an orange/rust color so we use a water softener which keeps everthing clean. Should I use the softened water for the grains or the hard water straight from the well with all the minerals? I was thinking about trying 2 tablespoons of grains in the softened water and 2 in the unsoftened. We're in west central Florida btw. Any thoughts, suggestions, experience?
Thanks!

[AlexP]

Grains tend to do better in hard water or non-filtered water, but it really comes down to the water you are most comfortable drinking. The minerals and whatever else you are trying filter will still be there in the finished water kefir. If your softener doesn't filter too much out, it should be fine. It wouldn't hurt to try both either and see what happens.

Alex

[timverba]

Thanks for the advice Alex. I'm a little concerned that the softener might indeed take out too many minerals. Before we used the softener our tea kettle would be coated with a rusty orange layer only a few days after cleaning it. Since using the softener for the last two months or so, I have yet to see any mineral deposits on anything. So I'll try both waters and see which one the grains prefer.